EARLE GREY ACCEPTANCE
(Mon Oct 30, 2000)

Luba, John, Roger and I (Don) have been together almost 30 years, through thick and thin, and for most of that time we’ve gotten along pretty well. There are, of course occasional exceptions. For instance, John’s not here tonight because we didn’t tell him about it.

We are only the most visible part of an incredible array of supportive and talented individuals. There are many, many people we want to thank for having got us to this moment, and we only have 90 seconds, so here goes. Our parents, who warned us the group would never last. Our spouses and partners, children and friends, who have the thankless job of keeping us neurotic and insane… and assuring each one of us that we’re the real star of the show, and the other three are just adequate. At CBC Radio, Ron Solloway gave us the opportunity to be creative and Royal Canadian Air Face was born. Thanks, Ron, and our terrific producers and technicians, who, for 24 years, made radio such a blast.

Ten years ago, Brian Robertson offered to help make Air Farce a television show. Apart from ourselves, Brian was the only one back then who believed it would work. Then Ivan Fecan bought our pitch for a 1992 New Year’s Eve TV special on CBC… and on the strength of the rough cut alone, said the three most wonderful words in television: “Let’s do more.” Five years ago, Jim Byrd was the difference between us staying at CBC and leaving. Jim, we’ve never had a chance to thank you publicly until now. “Thank you.” Our greatest thanks go to writers Gord Holtam and Rick Olsen, who week in, week out for over 20 years have turned out the largest, best and funniest body of comedy writing that has ever been produced in this country and have yet to be recognized for their efforts. We thank our friend and mentor, Dave Broadfoot… for sharing his knowledge of comedy and his love of this great country. Our television director, Perry Rosemond. (Don) “Best director in the world!” (Luba) “You tell ‘em, Mel, baby”. Thank you, CBC Television, where we work with the best technicians, designers, production people, and yes, even executives. And our office and creative crew at Air Farce Productions. We’ve performed all across Canada, from Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic. This is a land of people with a great sense of humour. Thankfully, it’s also home to moronic politicians, greedy businessmen, venal critics and vain entertainers… making fun of whom has provided us with our lifelong bread and butter. Canada is a comedian’s dream because you never run out of material. We thank the Academy for this Earle Grey Award, our very first Gemini. (So this can put an end to all the pouting). Earle Grey was the radio actor who more than 50 years ago started ACTRA, and if it weren’t for him, the only Earle Grey we’d be taking home tonight would be a tea bag. The greatest thrill and the greatest pleasure and the most wonderful constant over the years has been our listeners, viewers, ticket buyers, fans – who keep us honest and who’ve kept us going because “you like us, you really like us”, and we really love you. We owe this award to you. “Thanks a lot, eh!”